Last winter I received a call from my friend, Alina Roytberg (who also happens to be the co-founder of Fresh, Inc).  Fresh was turning 21 this year and she thought it was the perfect opportunity for us to collaborate on a project.  I love Alina and I love Fresh so I was inwardly doing cartwheels across the room, out the door & down the street.

I flew to New York where I met with the Fresh team and got my assignment.  "It all began with soap" - they told me.   So they asked me to do illustrations to capture the story and essence of 3 of their most iconic oval soaps: Sugar, Hesperides Grapefruit & Patchouli.

I returned to LA, got out my scissors, glue and colored paper, and got to work.  The images just flowed out of me - and the result was pure joy.

Hesperides Grapefruit Original Artwork

Flash forward to August.  I was lying on my couch casually flipping through the gargantuan September issue of Vogue magazine.  Turning to page 712, I nearly fell onto the floor.  THERE THEY WERE - in all their glory!  I instantly envisioned Gwyneth Paltrow, Tom Ford and countless others turning to page 712 in their September issues as well and picking up the phone to call me (no calls from them yet).

as seen in Vogue magazine (September issue)

Last week I found myself in New York again - this time in Fresh's inspiring flagship Union Square store - to celebrate Fashion's Night Out with co-founder, Lev Glazman (the man responsible for their amazing fragrances). They had set up a mini R. Nichols studio where I created original artwork for Fresh's VIP customers.  It was also the official launch of the "Fresh Turns 21" oval soap collection and a cool custom set of stationery which I also designed for them.

at my desk with Fresh co-founder, Lev Glazman

The "Fresh Turns 21" soaps and stationery are now available in all of their stores as well as on their web site (for a limited time only).

www.fresh.com

the "Fresh Turns 21" soap collection

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any Fresh addiction that may occur as a result of this blog post.

 I just returned home to Los Angeles after 9 days in New York City.  Of those 9 days, 8 were rainy - but luckily I took full advantage of the one glorious day of sun - a day of such perfection that it literally took my breath away.

I thought I would share a few of my favorite things from New York....

1) Amy's Bread.  I've been carb-loading at Amy's Bread for years.  In fact, I always choose my hotels based on their proximity to Amy's.  There are 3 locations (9th Avenue & 47th, Bleecker Street and Chelsea Market).  I can't even begin to describe how I feel about their sourdough chocolate twist or the holy grail: the almond brioche toast.  Heaven!

You may find me here several times throughout the day

Don't miss the sourdough chocolate twist

The almond brioche toast - carb heaven

2) Central Park.  On the one perfect sunny day I decided to head to The Met - via Central Park.  On the right day (which it was) it can take your breath away (which happened when I came across these azaleas and tulips)....

Central Park

3) Alexander McQueen exhibit.  So I finally got to The Metropolitan Museum of Art.  While heading towards the ancient egyptian wing I overheard somebody mentioning an Alexander McQueen exhibit.  Hmmm, I thought.  That could be interesting.  So I navigated the maze of The Met and discovered the McQueen exhibit - called "Savage Beauty".  I was expecting to see some mannequins with interesting dresses......

......but instead entered one of the most powerful, moving, exciting, beautiful, haunting experiences of my life.  It's actually difficult to describe - but I can tell you this....if at all possible....YOU MUST SEE THIS EXHIBIT.  It is worth taking planes, trains and automobiles.

I have always had a mild interest in fashion, and I haven't missed a season of Project Runway - but nothing prepared me for the impact this would have on me - and the tremendous appreciation for art and fashion that it ignited.  Who knows - perhaps I will become a couturier now!  The exhibit runs through July 31st.

I snapped a few photos - which may give you a small glimpse of what I'm talking about....

4) Indian Food.  Somehow I spent the first 4 decades of my life without indian food.  It was just a few years ago that I was introduced to The Ghandi Cafe (7th Avenue and Bleecker) - a tiny hole in the wall restaurant which gave me my first taste of Chicken Tikka Masala.  Since then, I have searched high and low for an identical indian culinary experience, visiting nearly every indian restaurant in LA (as well as others in New York).  I have not found anything that can even remotely approach the delicious nirvana that is The Ghandi Cafe. It is food so scumptious - you'll never want the meal to end.  Each bite is better than the bite before.  Afterwards I felt embraced in a warm glow for hours.  You can trust me on this one.  

Chicken Korma and naan - 2 of my favorite things....

5) Raoul's.  Each time I visit New York my clump of best friends and I always have a special dinner at Raoul's (180 Prince Street).  It's been around for years and years - and as far as I am concerned - it is perfection.  Casual, elegant, relaxed, cool, understated and absolutely delish.  It's a splurge - but I find that their steak au poivre with frites is well worth the investment.  It just so happened that it was my birthday - and I was surprised with this chocolate cake underneath a cloche of melted sugar.  Magnificent!

notice the profiteroles in the background....YUM!

Next time you are in NYC I hope you'll investigate a few of my suggestions.  Let me know!

Cheers,

R. Nichols

 I was in the grocery store the other day and noticed the mountain range of strawberries in the produce section - which reminded me of my greatest baking achievement  - California Strawberry Pie.

There was a tiny little restaurant in St. Louis (where I spent my high school years) called "The Elsah Landing Restaurant".   Daily they offered a variety of soups, bread and most importantly, PIES.  One pie in particular, California Strawberry Pie, was undeniably the best. I've got the "Elsah Landing Cookbook" in my possession - and decided to bake the strawberry pie this past weekend.  My friends unanimously agreed that it was superior even to my apple and grape pie (which was high praise).  SO I thought I'd share the recipe with you.

This pie is delicious when you make it - but the NEXT DAY it is even more delicious (especially for breakfast) - as all the ingredients really come together.

CALIFORNIA STRAWBERRY PIE

1 (9-inch) pie shell, baked.  Now - I am certainly capable of making my own pie crust - but I was lazy and bought a frozen one which I baked for 10-15 minutes at 425 degrees (until it was just lightly browned).  It worked just fine.

1 cup instant nonfat dry milk powder (sounds gross but trust me)

2/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup boiling water

3 Tablespoons butter, melted

2 Tablespoons lemon juice

Combine dry milk, sugar and water with butter in a blender jar.  Blend until smooth.  Stir in lemon juice.  Chill.

4 cups sliced fresh strawberries

1 Tablespoon sugar, optional (but I say yes)

Spread chilled mixture over bottom of prepared pie shell.  Arrange strawberries on top.  Sprinkle with sugar if desired.

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1 Tablespoon confectioners' sugar

Beat cream until almost stiff.  Gradually add sugar.  Beat until stiff.  Spread over fruit filling.

Fresh mint leaves

Fresh Strawberries

Garnish each serving with a mint leaf and a strawberry.

For over achievers - here is their recipe for the pie crust:

1 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup Crisco

2-4 Tablespoons ice water

Spoon flour lightly into cup.  Level off.  Sift flour and salt together in bowl.  Cut in Crisco with pastry blender until mixture forms particles slightly larger than grains of rice.  Sprinkle with ice water, 1 Tablespoon at a time.  Toss gently with fork until all particles are uniformly moistened and will barely stick together.  Shape mixture into a ball.  Roll out on lightly floured pastry cloth and place in pie pan.  Prick dough generously with fork.  Bake at 425 degrees fro 12 to 15 minutes, or until crust is lightly browned.

Enjoy - and let me know how it goes!

R. Nichols

I think it can be universally agreed upon the moving leaves much to be desired in terms of fun.  

Arriving in Florida on Sunday, March 27th, I knew I was in for it.  Though I spend most of my time in LA designing and plotting the future of R. Nichols, my presence is requested from time to time at our home office in Florida - especially when heavy lifting is in demand.  Upon entering our shop at 3131 Corrine Drive I was instantly overwhelmed.  But with my trusty army by my side (Anda, Jana, Hannah and Nancy) - and having seen my share of television shows about hoarders, I knew that the best thing to do was just begin.

Two days later we were left with an empty shell.

3131 Corrine - my first baby

Our destination was another empty shell (4 times larger) just across the street and down a bit. 

 Prior to my arrival in Florida, the R. Nichols team has just completed the painstaking task of painting the concrete floor with a difficult and complicated shiny black paint which apparently takes about seven years to dry.  A proclamation was posted stating that one could only wear socks inside (it was militantly enforced).  It's quite possible that half of my waking hours over the next week were spent crouched over and standing alternately on one foot while putting on and taking off shoes and socks.  

Our new empty shell - 2910 Corrine - TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES!!!!

With all of the lugging and sweating behind us - it was time for creation (my favorite thing in the world).  

Each morning I would wake up at 6 am, walk down to the Bluebird Bake Shop for caffeine and sugar, and spend the next 16 hours building our new world .   Seven very busy days later - The NEW R. Nichols Shop was open for business.  And I must say, it's pretty gorgeous.

The installation of our awning was an exciting moment!  

Those greeting card shelves were quite a challenge - I sure did learn a lot about concrete nails.

Perfection and precision - two of my favorite things.

You'll always find a selection of framed original art at the shop - just peek through the cherry blossoms.

Our mouse hole is getting good use!

Every mother's worst nightmare - a birdbath full of smarties.

Our very first customer (with a charlie horse - just kidding - she was very graceful).

So if you are ever in the Orlando area I hope you will take the time to come and visit us at 2910 Corrine - but be prepared to take off your shoes.

- R. Nichols

  I first met Wanda Wen just over 10 years ago. She's one of those people that just have a knack for creating beauty.  Back in those days I would haul my samples around in a backpack and travel the country knocking on doors and seeing who I could find to carry my line of cards.  When I first traveled  to Los Angeles I discovered Soolip Paperie, Wanda's magnificent store on Melrose.  She successfully carried R. Nichols for years - but over time we'd lost touch.

So here we are just over 10 years later.  Upon moving to LA this past June, I reconnected with Wanda.  She has a beautiful new book  called "The Art of Gift Wrapping".  As we were catching up she mentioned that she had this little extra space at Soolip - and asked me if I would  like to set up a mini R. Nichols shop.  A little tiny room/nook at the very back that was all mine - well - I was all over it.   So I showed up with my paintbrush and fixtures and went to work creating my little world.

.

                               The R. Nichols Nook at Soolip

The end result is The R. Nichols Nook at Soolip.  It's an adorable tiny little shop within a shop where you can find nearly the entire R. Nichols collection (including original art pieces as we get closer to the holidays).   It is also quite possible that you will find me hanging around  too.  I am often there working on new designs (especially on Saturdays), meeting shoppers (and occasionally celebrities), chit-chatting - it's become my retail home away from home.  

                                              Wanda and her beautiful empire

                         Wanda's new book

So, If you are in LA, I hope you'll come visit Soolip (8646 Melrose - right across from the Pacific Design Center / open 7 days a week).  It would be wonderful to meet you.   If you are a "facebook person" please become a fan of R. Nichols and you'll always  know what I'm up to and just where I might be (whether it's The R. Nichols Nook at Soolip or The R. Nichols Shop in Orlando.....)!

Hope to see you soon!